Last edited: 07/01/2020

★👑★

White~

With help from Lucario and Vanilluxe, I defeated Cheren. He was very strong, but I managed to defeat him with my Pokémon's help. I was very thankful for them to battle for me in this manner.

"Touko, that was an excellent battle. I had a lot of fun, and I hope Lucario and Vanilluxe enjoyed the battle as well," Cheren complimented.

"Your Pokémon has grown so much as if two years ago was far into the past. I'm very happy," I responded.

Cheren chuckled lightly. He muttered something else, but I wasn't able to hear it. I had assumed it was important.

"What was that, Cheren?"

He shook his head, smiling to himself. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

I was confused but chose not to press further.

"Okay then."

"Meet up with me after the tournament. There's some stuff I want to tell you," Cheren requested, turning around to leave the stage.

I did that as well, with Lucario following me with minimal damage to his body.

"Are you okay, Lucario? The attendant will heal Vanilluxe, so do you want to go back in the Pokéball?"

'No, I'm okay. I can heal for the next battle,' he replied casually.

I felt sad seeing the wounds Cheren's Unfezant inflicted. Lucario was holding his upper right arm with his left palm, breathing heavily after Unfezant's constant Air Slashes and Quick Attacks. It saddened me to watch him stand up in that state.

The attendant arrived with the special container that was supposed to heal Pokémon like going to a Pokémon Center. I placed Vanilluxe's Pokéball inside. Since I haven't brought out Gardevoir to fight, there wasn't a point in me healing her.

"Vanilluxe is still a bit inexperienced with all this. Perhaps I will ask Gardevoir to help me for the next battle. If you don't want to heal, then I can't have you battle other Pokémon. Those wounds could worsen," I informed Lucario.

'Like I said, it's okay. I'm willing to fight for you, no matter what condition I'm in,' Lucario persisted.

"But—"

'Please...' Lucario suddenly begged.

I wondered if it had to do with his past. Throughout my journey in the past two years, I had always noticed Lucario fighting to the end, even training with that level of intensity. After I had a sit-down with Lucario, I learned from his confessions that he didn't want the past to repeat itself.

In other words, he didn't want to be abandoned again.

"Please don't push yourself too far, for my sake," I asked softly. "I can't stand imagining you being beaten down vulnerable."

'I won't, so continue to trust me. I will protect you; I promise!' Lucario declared.

★𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞★

Cheren watched as his childhood friend walked off stage. He returned his Stoutland into its Pokéball and proceeded to walk off stage as well. When he exited the stage, the attendant proceeded to escort him out of the area.

"If you wish to watch the rest of the tournament, please continue along to the left and join the audience on the bleachers," the attendant informed him.

"Thank you," Cheren responded before the attendant nodded and left Cheren alone.

Cheren looked down to the ground, smiling to himself once again.

'Touko, your smile... why wouldn't you notice how beautiful it was?'

He thought to himself before heading left and joining the audience to watch Touko's next battle.

★𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞★

I battled a Trainer named Hugh during the second round. He recognized me as the Champion and declared that he will defeat me. With that attitude, I looked down on him as the typical trainer who battles me. However, something was different with him.

I could tell from the way Hugh battled he had an interior motive that pushed him to fight harder.

Gardevoir never had a problem with the fight; neither did Lucario. Though Lucario got tired easily, he still defeated Hugh's Samurott. Lucario n to take a break, and I will make sure that happens.

This time, Lucario didn't object to my request.

The next round will be the last round. Lucario volunteered himself to battle first, while Gardevoir requested to be next. I asked Vanilluxe if that was alright, in which he responded by nodding both of his heads.

After my name is called, I re-entered the stage once again. I was ready to face my last opponent for today's event. The announcer proceeded to speak through the microphone.

"It's Colress! His wish is to bring out the power of Pokémon!"

A blond-haired man arrived on stage. He wore an attire that dressed him like a researcher. His presence left a bad taste in my stomach. Something was surely going to happen, yet it's making me so wary.

"The Champion of Unova... White, I believe—or do you go by a different name?"

This guy thinks he's so smart. His tone was full of pride and mockery. What was his goal in provoking me?

"It's White," I responded, only confirming him with my stage name. "Who are you?"

"Ah, where are my manners? I am a scientist. My name is Colress. The theme of my research is: "Bringing out the power of Pokémon." Bringing out the power of Pokémon! Is it possible to bring out their maximum power through the bond they share with their Trainers? Or is there some other, different method?" he introduced himself.

'What is he saying? Bringing out a Pokémon's maximum power?' I questioned before warning Lucario who stood by my side instead of remaining in his Pokéball.

"I would like to test my theory by battling you, the Champion with the strongest bond between them and their Pokémon. Will you provide the answer to my theory, or are all the rumours merely rumours?"

He had a dangerous glint in his eyes, as well as an unnervingly vexing feeling behind his smirk. The sight told me he wasn't a good person, or at least someone I should watch out. The Pokémon he brought out was a Magneton. Lucario rushed onto the battlefield, summoning his typical bone staff.

The battle began from there. Lucario didn't put much power on his first moves, testing to see what his opponent would do. However, Magneton wasn't putting much of a fight as well.

Was this a trap, or was Colress trying to push my buttons further?

'Be careful, Lucario. Attack with caution,' I warned him.

Lucario hastily nodded before attacking Magneton with another Bone Rush attack. Magneton took every hit, but Colress has yet to call out a move. He simply observed the battle without changing his expression.

What was he up to?

Lucario didn't need to put more effort as Magneton was defeated quickly. However, Colress has yet to say anything. He grabbed another Pokéball and brought out another Pokémon; this time, it was an Elgyem.

Once again, Lucario defeated Elgyem effortlessly, and not a single word left Colress's mouth. His last Pokémon was a Klink. Lucario and I were expecting an attack right away, but soon Lucario lost it.

'What is he trying to accomplish!?' he growled.

'Stay calm, Lucario. Don't let him get to your nerves as he did with mine,' I responded.

'It's so irritating! I'll show him,' Lucario exclaimed.

"Wait, Lucario!" I voiced, breaking my telepathic communication with him.

Lucario rushed towards Klink and swung his light blue staff at it.

It was then I noticed Colress's smirk widen.

"Thundershock," he commanded.

Klink launched a beam of thunder towards Lucario, but his strong endurance caused him to be unfazed with the attack. Lucario sent Klink flying to the ground. Instead of reacting to his defeat, Colress sighed calmly.

"I see; so it is the anger Lucario had which fueled him to use more strength. Not only that, but you were able to speak with them. How fascinating that someone like you exists! Well then, I thank you for contributing to my research. I'm sure we'll meet one another again someday," Colress stated in a satisfied tone.

He returned his Klink and left the stage. Lucario was about to charge towards him—I know he is going to try and hurt him for saying those words—which caused me to run up to him and hug him from behind. I can't let Lucario become violent, especially amongst so many eyes.

"The battle's over, Lucario. Please stop," I pleaded.

Slowly, Lucario's breathing calmed. He materialized his staff away and turned around, allowing me to release him so I could face him. I smiled gently, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"You did well, Lucario. Thank you for helping me with this, though... I would prefer it if you would have defeated them in a less violent manner," I admitted.

'Sorry,' he apologized, but I shook my head.

"No, you don't need to apologize. Come on. Let's leave now," I recommended.

Lucario nodded, as the two of us left the stage, with our thoughts drowned within the audience's cheers.

★👑★

"Touko!" I heard Cheren yelling my name.

I turned around to him running up to me, stopping in front of me to catch his breath.

"Hey Cheren," I greeted him.

"Something wrong? You don't seem like yourself. Does it have to do with this Colress guy?" he questioned.

I nodded to confirm his suspicions. "I don't understand what he's saying. Lucario using more power because of his anger? What is he trying to accomplish?"

"I haven't heard much about him, but I do remember Professor Juniper telling me a little bit about him. Apparently, he's researching a way for Pokémon to draw out their maximum strength, but that can't happen willingly," Cheren explained.

"But why? Why would he research for something like that? And he mentioned my ability to talk with Pokémon. It's making me mad!"

I felt Cheren's arms around me, with my head resting against his chest. It struck me how Cheren had grown, not just his battling strength but his height as well. His right hand patted my head while his left arm encircled my waist.

I was taken aback by Cheren's sudden action, but I didn't put up any resistance.

"Calm down now. I know you're upset with his attitude, but he doesn't deserve your anger," he comforted.

I nodded against his chest. Realizing this position attracting some attention, I used my hands to distance ourselves a bit. Cheren was surprised by my actions, but after he looked around he found out why I did that.

I coughed within the awkward silence.

"Anyways, was there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh... right! I was hoping we could catch up on the two years we missed. The events back at the Aspertia Gym weren't the ideal 'welcome back' I was hoping," Cheren requested, scratching the back of his head.

I hummed, recalling the incident. "I don't mind. Where do we start?"

"Come on, let's take a walk outside. I think you need some fresh air, after those tough battles."

"Sounds good!" I replied in a satisfied mood.

"I think I've already told you what I've been up to; what about you? What happened in the past two years?"

I explained to Cheren what happened. During the past two years that I had searched for N, I battled and defeated Gym Leaders from other regions. Occasionally I would battle other Champions, such as Steven, Lance, and Cynthia. Those were tough fights, as a winner wasn't decided after those matches.

My Pokédex has more and more entries of Pokémon from different regions. There were so many Pokémon that existed all over the world. It surprised me how so many Pokémon were different, from the way they lived to how they appeared.

"As for N, I found him," I finished.

"Really? Where is he then?" Cheren asked.

I sighed. "I... don't know. There are two Team Plasmas now."

"Two Team Plasmas? What do you mean?"

"I don't know all of the details, but there are two groups: one still being led by Ghetsis and his beliefs, and another led by a redeeming Sage named Rood. Did you know anything about this?" I questioned.

Cheren shook his head. "I had no idea Team Plasma still exists. I assumed they completely disbanded two years ago. How did he even escape from jail?"

"The Shadow Triad."

I spoke, remembering the incident. Before I left Unova, one of the members approached me. They told me to stop looking for Ghetsis, saying he had lost everything and was on the run. I was angry but hadn't pressed on further.

"Anyways, a Team Plasma is redeeming themselves?"

I nodded. "Yes. Those types of people are no longer the same people from two years ago. I can't help but admire their new goals."

"Whatever they want to do, it has nothing to do with me, though I do agree of supporting their ideals," Cheren admitted.

"I'm going to support them. The world must know that not all members of Team Plasma are bad," I stated.

Cheren turned to me and nodded.

"I'll support whatever decision you make."

Just as we were about to leave, I heard someone else call out to us from behind.

"Stop right there!"

★👑★

Be sure to vote and comment on the story. Also, correct me on any mistakes during the story.

Hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next chapter~

~Lisa